Requirements for Initial and Subsequent Annual Inspection

(1) General Provisions. Every owner or person in control of a Massachusetts registered motor vehicle shall submit the vehicle for inspection under 540 CMR 4.03(1)(a) through (i): (a) Inspection Upon Registration. Every owner or person in control of a motor vehicle which is newly acquired in the Commonwealth shall submit such motor vehicle for a required inspection within seven days of the date on which the motor vehicle is registered to said owner in the Commonwealth. (b) Subsequent Inspection. Every owner or person in control of a Massachusetts registered motor vehicle shall submit the vehicle for the required inspection annually, no later than the date of expiration on the previously issued Certificate of Inspection or as notified in a manner prescribed by the Registrar. Early renewals are permitted. (c) Validity of Certificates of Inspection. Certificates of Inspection displaying void(s) due to a windshield replacement, which are also displaying a duly issued Windshield Replacement Certificate, shall be valid until the expiration of the Certificate of Inspection or when ownership of the vehicle is transferred, or as notified in a manner prescribed by the Registrar, whichever occurs first. (d) General Registration Holders. Every motor vehicle owned by a General Registration holder, except for motor vehicles held for sale and demonstration by a dealer, shall be inspected pursuant to 540 CMR 4.00. (e) Farm Tractor. Any tractor or other self propelled vehicle used exclusively for agricultural or farming purposes, except automobiles and trucks, the use of which is declared by the owner or person in control thereof to be restricted to the period from a ½ hour before sunrise to a ½ hour after sunset and which is operated in or upon any way during such period shall be inspected and shall be equipped with one stop light and with brakes as manufactured, including a stationary brake with ratchet and pawl. (f) Out of State Registration. Motor vehicles submitted for inspections that are registered in any other state or jurisdiction shall be inspected in accordance with the applicable provisions of 540 CMR 4.00 and the policies and procedures established by the Registrar. Vehicles registered in any other state or jurisdictions are not required to have an active or valid registration. (g) Inspection upon Return to Commonwealth. A motor vehicle which is not garaged or operated within the Commonwealth during its assigned inspection period may be operated for 15 days after its return to the Commonwealth if the motor vehicle bears satisfactory proof of adequate Emissions or Safety and Emissions Inspection from another jurisdiction. The owner or person in control of the vehicle shall submit the vehicle for required inspection within said 15 days. A motor vehicle which is not garaged or operated within the Commonwealth during its assigned inspection period may be operated for three days after its return to the Commonwealth if the motor vehicle does not bear satisfactory proof of inspection from another jurisdiction. The owner or person in control of the vehicle shall submit the vehicle for required inspection within said three days. All vehicles actively registered which are either not garaged or operated within the Commonwealth or temporarily off the road and unable to be inspected during their assigned inspection period must notify Vulnerable User. A pedestrian, including a person engaged in work upon a way or upon utility facilities along a way or engaged in the provision of emergency services within the way; a Bus/Train/Trolley Passenger; a person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, skateboard, handcycle, tricycle, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, non-motorized scooter, wheelchair, electric personal assistive mobility device, horse, horse-drawn carriage, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, or other micromobility device, or a farm tractor or similar vehicle designed primarily for farm use. Windshield Replacement Certificate. A serially numbered adhesive sticker, device or symbol as prescribed by the Registrar to be used in conjunction with any legible valid Certificate of Inspection, irrespective of any void displayed, removed due to the replacement of a windshield and displayed on the newly installed windshield on the same vehicle. Such Certificate shall be issued in accordance with all regulations, policies and procedures established by the Registrar. Workstation. The complete set of inspection equipment approved by the Department and required by the Registrar for an inspection station. 7D Endorsement. An endorsement to a Class A, B, D or F license which permits the licensee to inspect 7D (pupil transport) vehicles in accordance with M.G.L. c. 90, § 7D and 540 CMR 21.00: Semiannual Safety Inspection of School Pupil Transport Vehicles.